UTSA guard Michael Hale beats Sim Bhullar to the hoop in the second half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

UTSA guard Michael Hale beats Sim Bhullar to the hoop in the second half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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UTSA forward Tyler Wood gets blocked under the backboard by Renaldo Dixon as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

UTSA forward Tyler Wood gets blocked under the backboard by Renaldo Dixon as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Aggie forward Renaldo Dixon (25) stays on his feet as teammate Daniel Mullings arrives to thwart the layup of UTSA guard Kannon Burrage in the first half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State at the UTSA Convocation Center on February 2, 2013. less

Aggie forward Renaldo Dixon (25) stays on his feet as teammate Daniel Mullings arrives to thwart the layup of UTSA guard Kannon Burrage in the first half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State at the UTSA ... more

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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UTSA guard Kannon Burrage takes a shot in the crowded lane as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

UTSA guard Kannon Burrage takes a shot in the crowded lane as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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UTSA center Tank Mayberry discovers the difficulty getting a layup against Sim Bhullar as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

UTSA center Tank Mayberry discovers the difficulty getting a layup against Sim Bhullar as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Aggie guard Terrel de Rouen talks to his big center, Sim Bhullar as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Aggie guard Terrel de Rouen talks to his big center, Sim Bhullar as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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UTSA guard Hyjii Thomas gets in for a short jump hook against Renaldo Dixon as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

UTSA guard Hyjii Thomas gets in for a short jump hook against Renaldo Dixon as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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UTSA guard Hyjii Thomas gets stopped at the hoop by Bandja Sy as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

UTSA guard Hyjii Thomas gets stopped at the hoop by Bandja Sy as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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UTSA guard Hyjii Thomas runs into a block by Bandji Sy in the second half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

UTSA guard Hyjii Thomas runs into a block by Bandji Sy in the second half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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UTSA guard Michael Hale slants into the right lane between big men in the second half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

UTSA guard Michael Hale slants into the right lane between big men in the second half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Kannon Burrage soars in to slam the ball in for UTSA as he beats Remi Barry on a fast break as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Kannon Burrage soars in to slam the ball in for UTSA as he beats Remi Barry on a fast break as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Kannon Burrage takes it to the hoop to challenge Aggie center Sim Bhullar in the second half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Kannon Burrage takes it to the hoop to challenge Aggie center Sim Bhullar in the second half as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Larry Wilkins has no choice but to pass the ball away after posting up under the hoop against Sim Bhullar as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Larry Wilkins has no choice but to pass the ball away after posting up under the hoop against Sim Bhullar as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Hyjii Thomas slams one home for UTSA in front of Daniel Mullings as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Hyjii Thomas slams one home for UTSA in front of Daniel Mullings as the Roadrunners host New Mexico State on February 2, 2013.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Topping NMSU too tall a task for UTSA

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Not even a quirky strategy on the opening tipoff could slow 7-foot-5 center Sim Bhullar.

New Mexico State's 355-pound redshirt freshman center produced 17 points, a season-high 18 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Aggies throttled the UTSA Roadrunners 75-62 on Saturday night at the Convocation Center.

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He said he simply wanted his center, 6-4 Larry Wilkins, to fall back into the paint to get ready to defend.

“In the tip circle, it looked like Mike was as big as (Bhullar's) left leg,” Thompson said. “We weren't going to get that tip no matter what. I just wanted to get that first defensive stop. But it was funny to see.”

In the end, the Aggies had the last laugh.

Not only did they race to an early 8-0 lead, they thwarted the Roadrunners in the second half. Three times, UTSA came within six points but could get no closer.

Thompson said New Mexico State has impressive talent, including forward Bandja Sy and guard Daniel Mullings.

“They've got good players,” Thompson said. “There's a reason their record is as good as it is in the WAC. They're going to win a lot more games. I'm proud of our guys. They fought as hard as they could.”

The Roadrunners lost for the third straight game, but the drought runs much deeper.

They've dropped 15 of their past 17.

Playing without injured forward Jeromie Hill, UTSA (5-16, 1-10) seemingly has no answer for opponents in the WAC, much less against one of the conference's better teams.

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See a photo gallery of UTSA's loss to New Mexico St.

Thursday: UTSA @Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m.

Fortunately for UTSA, Hill could return next week.

The Aggies were without standout forward Tyrone Watson, suspended last week for a violation of team rules.

Regardless, Sy produced 17 points and seven rebounds, and New Mexico State (15-8, 9-2) won its ninth game in a row.

The Roadrunners had their moments. They recovered from an 8-0 deficit at the outset to take a 19-16 lead on a Jordan Sims 3-pointer with 10:47 left in the first half.

In response, Bhullar and Sy led a rally that propelled the Aggies to a 41-32 lead at intermission.

The Aggies pushed the advantage to 14 points early in the second half, fought off a few challenges, then pounded it out with a slower-than-usual pace to the final buzzer.

“It's tough,” said Hale, who led the Roadrunners with 20 points. “We came out with a lot of energy at the beginning. We played hard. We had a little lull in the game (in the first half), and that really hurt us.”